Avid Announces New M-Audio DCP-300 Digital Console Piano

Tewksbury, Mass, 2009-05-04
Avid® (NASDAQ: AVID) today introduced the M-Audio® DCP-300 digital home piano — the latest model in the growing M-Audio DCP series. Designed for students, hobbyists and professional players alike, the DCP-300 is equipped with audio inputs and a built-in stereo mixer, which allows users to plug in an iPod or CD player for interactive practice with pre-recorded backing tracks. The M-Audio DCP-300 can be easily connected to a computer via a built-in class-compliant MIDI interface — enabling users to interact with music software and compose their own songs.

An 88-note keyboard with TruTouch™ II graded hammer action that is designed to reproduce the feel of an acoustic piano — with a lighter touch on the high notes, and more weighty response on the lows;

All three of the pedals found on grand pianos — including sostenuto. The powerful combination of authentic sound, realistic touch and grand piano pedaling provides a musical and inspiring playing experience for both beginners and serious performers.

With the built-in USB MIDI port on the M-Audio DCP-300, customers can incorporate music education software into their practice routine or compose songs using the included Session® software. Users can also seamlessly work with third-party recording and accompaniment programs such as GarageBand and Band-in-a-Box.

Sibelius® First notation software (PC/Mac), which comes standard with the M-Audio DCP-300 piano, enables players to explore song writing and helps music directors create printed arrangements. Customers can simply click “record” to transcribe what they play into professional-grade sheet music and immediately print and post the arrangement online. The Sibelius First software’s built-in 128-instrument General MIDI engine also allows users to notate and playback full-sounding pop, jazz and orchestral compositions.

“The DCP-300 fuses the venerable tradition of piano craftsmanship with the best of today’s digital technology,” said Adam Castillo, director of segment marketing at Avid. “By smoothly integrating with almost any music software out there, we are able to deliver a new musical experience that is in sync with the modern lifestyle of today’s piano enthusiasts and professional players.”

Pricing and Availability

The M-Audio DCP-300 is currently shipping and carries a US MSRP of $1,375.95.

About Avid

Avid creates the digital audio and video technology used to make the most listened to, most watched and most loved media in the world – from the most prestigious and award-winning feature films, music recordings, television shows, live concert tours and news broadcasts, to music and movies made at home. Some of Avid’s most influential and pioneering solutions include Media Composer®, Pro Tools®, Avid Unity™, Interplay®, Oxygen 8, Sibelius® and Pinnacle Studio™. For more information about Avid solutions and services, visit http://www.avid.com/, del.icio.us, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube; connect with Avid on Facebook; or subscribe to Avid Industry Buzz.

¹The M-Audio DCP-300 is not connected with, or approved or endorsed by, the owners of the Steinway name. This name is used solely to identify the instruments emulated by the M-Audio DCP-300 digital console piano.